Marian Manor

Ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony
opens doors to homes for working poor

 

 

Port Charlotte—An apartment complex designated for low-income families officially opened with a Ribbon Cutting and Blessing Ceremony on October 29 held at the facility, called Marian Manor, located at 4200 Lister Street.

 

Catholic Charities Housing, Diocese of Venice, Inc. and Marian Manor, Inc. hosted the event and Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice officiated the ceremony. After the blessing, (Photo above, left to right) Jim Sweeney, Catholic Charities Housing Board Member, Jean Farino and Ana Romillo, Event Co-Chairs, Pat Tyler, Catholic Charities Housing Board Member, Jack Martin, Chair of Catholic Charities Housing Board, Bishop Frank J. Dewane, and Sister Cathy Buster, Vice President of Catholic Charities Housing participated in the traditional ribbon cutting at the front entrance of the apartment complex.

 

“We had no idea how difficult it would be to take this project from planning to completion,” said Martin. The project took six years to finish. “It is a real pleasure for me to see Marian Manor complete. I hope it is viewed as a valuable asset for the community for many years to come.”

 

Bishop Dewane thanked all involved in the project for their long-term commitment. “For those who will have a roof over their heads and a key in their pocket to an apartment is why we do what we do,” Bishop Dewane said. “It is people that represent what we do, not a beautiful building. It is the dignity and right of every human being to have good housing.”

 

Marian Manor is a 31-unit apartment complex featuring two bedrooms and one bath for each residence. Seven units are designated for mothers with infants transitioning from homeless shelters, and 24 units are for entry-level workforce families.

 

"With the downturn in the economy, this apartment complex will be well received by struggling, working families who are in need of safe and affordable housing,” said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

 

The following entities collaborated to accomplish the $6.1 million HUD HOME program: Bank of America, Catholic Charities Housing, Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte County Housing Finance Authority, Charlotte County School District, Diocese of Venice, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Homeless Coalition of Charlotte County, Housing Corporation of Charlotte County, Punta Gorda Housing Authority, and Raymond James and Associates.

 

Photo #2: Sister Cathy Buster, Vice President of Catholic Charities Housing, and Bishop Frank J. Dewane recite the blessing of Marian Manor.